If you know nothing else about me, you should know I post what the truth as I see it. Smith came in from the side, lowered his helmet and slammed Bell in the helmet deliberately. That’s what I saw. Eyewitnesses are notoriously inaccurate so I’ll leave open the possibility that I saw it wrong. But I wouldn’t have posted it was deliberate if I hadn’t believed it to be true.

That was a touchdown. And if not a touchdown, then it was first and goal at the six-inch mark because the Raven defender deliberately speared Bell in the helmet with the intent to cause injury. And I don’t care that Bell is a runner rather than a receiver. Trying to decapitate is trying to decapitate. If it were the NCAA, he’d have been ejected.
==================================
Total crock, Deb. There was no intent to cause injury and you know that. Bell was leading with the crown of his helmet and was met at different angles by players getting low, and he was doing the same thing.

]]>By: coachbeckhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2975009
Sat, 30 Nov 2013 02:04:23 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2975009They need to back off these rules. Play ends when he is down. Helmets come off when players don’t tighten them on like they are supposed to. It’s a fit issue
]]>By: lynnkohttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2975001
Sat, 30 Nov 2013 01:56:18 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2975001I’m wondering if you would feel the same way about this had Bell fumbled the ball before he hit the ground…since it appears he was knocked out by the hit. we could be discussing why a fumble recovery was taken away from the Ravens
]]>By: mark4steelershttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974742
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 21:49:47 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974742How is it possible that this wasn’t a Helmet-to-Helmet penalty? The result should have been 1st & goal rather than 3rd and goal. The Final result would have been the same since we scored & missed the 2 point conversion, but it could have changed the outcome.
]]>By: skinsfolifehttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974720
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 21:32:00 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974720The call that should have happened was spearing on top of the no touchdown call.
]]>By: badmoonrisonhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974616
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 20:30:23 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974616Some of these NFL rules as well as many laws being passed in this country have one thing in common-a complete lack of common sense. Like Florio mentioned, 22 players arent going to stop going full speed simply because the runners helmet comes off. And what if a defender gets tricky and decides to yank a runners helmet off in order to stop a potential TD? Riddle me that, reffie….
]]>By: housethatwalshbuilthttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974579
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 20:16:48 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974579So if the ball had come out and was turned over after the helmit was off but before he was finished going to the ground, what would your opinion be then Florio?
]]>By: hess97http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974526
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 19:42:09 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974526I’m no fan of either team, but I kinda agree with Florio for once. It seemed so unnatural that the play was stopped somewhere in the middle of his lunge forward to the end zone. I think if someone is in the act of going to the ground you have to let that continue until the player touches down. I don’t think the current rule is saving anybody in that split second.
]]>By: thejimiushttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974511
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 19:30:24 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974511This is the same site that argues about rules being too complicated. I say leave it as it reads; its simple and easy to understand. Maybe Bell should get a proper fitting helmet and wear it correctly.
]]>By: swagger52http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974504
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 19:27:26 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974504The only two teams that if they lose they have to figure out a rule change..Steelers and Patriots

Different rules

]]>By: patriotinvasionhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974500
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 19:22:44 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974500The rule HAS to be tweaked. Imagine that was 4th down! A guy scores, but his helmet comes off so they lose the game on it. That would have been preposterous. Blow the whistle, but the ball needs to be spotted where he ultimately lands.
]]>By: 87whineshttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974498
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 19:22:38 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974498This rule absolutely should not change. Black and white no subjective ness or difference of ruling between crews.

In addition to ball carrier helmet off rule, The NFL needs to adopt NCAA rule, where helmet comes off, player sits one play unless bought back in by timeout. The number of helmets off in NCAA has reduced the last two years as players have tightened the fit to minimize chance off being sent off.

Player safety rule. Tight fit, chin strapped in, good mouthpiece, ounce of prevention worth pound of cure. NFL needs to follow suit and get these men to wear equipment properly.

]]>By: Debhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974479
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 19:10:34 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974479That was a touchdown. And if not a touchdown, then it was first and goal at the six-inch mark because the Raven defender deliberately speared Bell in the helmet with the intent to cause injury. And I don’t care that Bell is a runner rather than a receiver. Trying to decapitate is trying to decapitate. If it were the NCAA, he’d have been ejected.
]]>By: pacstudhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974467
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 19:06:07 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974467Good Lord stop turning football into friggin debate team. More rules, rule changes, more rules, stupid rules, safety rules, more rules, rule interpretations…

Killing the game.

]]>By: bluebongzillahttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974463
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 19:03:02 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974463The rule was applied correctly. Aside from the obvious safety issues, it’s also incentive for players to secure their helmets PROPERLY. You’re not gonna be able to bring multi-million dollar concussion lawsuits AND think you can wear your helmet with a loose strap with superglued snaps so you can very easily slip it on and off your head. This should be a penalty every time a helmet comes off but the strap stays snapped.
]]>By: TheDPRhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974446
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 18:54:08 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974446How about this? Keep the rule but make the moment the helmet comes/came off non-reviewable. The play is dead when the ref blows the whistle and it is up to them, LIVE, to make that call. That’s one less piece of minutiae the official has to worry about when reviewing a play. Maybe they wouldn’t need as much time under the hood that way. Everybody wins.
]]>By: chaney13http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974440
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 18:50:31 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974440a) Maybe this will teach players to properly wear their safety equipment.

b) Call it karma for having a coach that doesn’t know better than to stay off of the field while the ball is in play, and getting away with that

]]>By: ejmat2http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974414
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 18:40:39 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974414I think the rule is a good rule and it was definitely called correctly last night. However, I also agree that if a player is on his way down already then the play should be able to finish out. If the player can continue gaining yardage then it should stop immediately. In this case Bell was going down whether or not the play was stopped and had no chance of further advancing the ball other than his natural fall. I played against him last night in my fantasy league so I was happy it didn’t count. But in my opinion, the rule does need the tweaking to allow the progress of the natural fall.
]]>By: athleticmedichttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974408
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 18:36:44 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974408Two things:

1). Bell was out BEFORE he hit the ground…his arm position shows that. If the ball had come loose, you can’t blame it on him–he’s out cold! That’s why the rule is there!

2). The helmet is NOT supposed to “slip off easily” with the chinstrap attached. The helmet and head are ONE UNIT if fitted properly. The helmet stays buckled and is taped to a backboard if a spinal injury occurs to provide a neutral position of the neck and to STABILIZE the head and neck!

Which would likely get a flag for grabbing a helmet opening or facemask …

As its been stated above though…when a guys helmet comes off u don’t want people to lower their shoulders into some guys head all to prevent a TD… last night was probably worry some enough for that young guys family.

Its also something that doesn’t happen too frequently or at least in the games I have watched for the past couple years.

]]>By: steelersfanfromtheseventieshttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974300
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 17:30:36 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974300gpry says:
Nov 29, 2013 10:02 AM
Such pro steeler talk from Florio…never!! You fail to mention bell leading with the crown of the helmet outside of the tackle box which is now illegal!!

So do you think if this exact same play occurred in a broncos chargers game this topic would be ignored?

When you get tripped up there are not many directions you can go but forward and yes that means your head will be leading the way.

]]>By: phinfanhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974293
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 17:28:21 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974293Go back to rugby style play with leather helmets – less concussions!!
]]>By: sammieveehttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974268
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 17:14:18 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974268Rule should simply provide that play is stopped when refs deem that the helmet has been dislodged. Like so many other situations, it is the whistle that kills the play. Language never would need to change, only the league’s instructions to the refs on how the league wishes the rule to be interpreted–like so many other rules, and as the case in other sports. There is nothing to gain by making this a reviewable play. This situation does not fall in the spirit of why instant replay exists.
]]>By: boobsmcgoohttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974206
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 16:47:05 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974206There is nothing wrong or unfair with the rule. You can’t tweak everything, sometimes you have to live with the rule.
]]>By: Nofoolnodroolhttp://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974190
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 16:38:21 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974190jakec4 | Nov 29, 2013, 9:27 AM EST
So Jimmy Smith “got away with one”?

The Steelers scored anyway so the point is moot. If they want to fix something they can levy heavy discipline on a buffoon of a coach standing on the field during a kick return that ultimately saved his team four points.

Whining about the refs after you win is very tacky even for a raven fan…..ssshhh . Some calls are missed against every team every game….winners overcome that….whiners don’t.. If they want to fix something suspend the helmet launching Raven….wawawawawa

]]>By: robf2010http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/29/helmet-off-rule-needs-a-minor-tweaking/#comment-2974183
Fri, 29 Nov 2013 16:36:17 +0000http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/?p=2227816#comment-2974183“Bell didn’t get in because the Ravens backed off when he lost his helmet.”

I don’t know if that’s true or not BUT, we do want them to back off once the helmet is gone.

On another note: Why are helmets flying off all the time now? This was a rarity 10 years ago.